This is rediculus. Some people want him here for the lone fact that he is black. Who cares?My vote still goes out to Malhotra, but I would not be upset if Grier signed.

Also, do you think that it will bring new fans to the Red Wings? No.If the pistons were an all black basketball team, and acquired a white player do you think more white kids would suddenly like them? No, you either like the SPORT or you do not.

The lack of interest in hockey from blacks is also noticeable. Still, other teams will have black players as their face. And they should. It's great to see different people from different backgrounds winning. We pay attention to the fact that Lids was the first European captain to win a cup. I'm sure attention will be paid to the first black captain to win a cup, assuming one hasn't done so already. Such disparities deserve looking at, but with a grain of salt and dose of reasonableness.

I don't disagree that Grier would bring diversity as far as race is concerned, but not as far as talent is concerned, which should be the focus here as a priority rather than his race. The Wings do not need Grier and I don't see what gaps he would fill that aren't already full. The Wings had a major dip in scoring talent and Grier isn't a way to make up for it.

They also lost their 4th line grinder typr in Kopy. Who is going to fill that void? Helm? I'd rather see him on the 3rd line. Greir is the perfect fit for Kopy's spot. Leino and Helm and 1 other guy have to pick up the goals.

if every race is one in the same, and were all equal, then what ever race is or isn't on the team shouldn't matter in the first place. i swear to god if affirmative action takes place in hockey i will kill who ever starts it myself.

Why is everybody freaking out? I think 99% of the people that posted here agree that race doesn't/shouldn't matter in hockey.

And on the topic of lack of black interest in hockey:

I agree that the high cost is part of it. I also think it has to do with the fact that a large portion of our country's black people live in the south where there already isn't much interest in hockey (contrary to popular belief).

True equality is when a person is judged for his/her abilities, not for their race, religion, or ethnic origin. Furthermore, the job of GMs is to provide a team with players who can help them win, not to make statements about social situations. Mike Grier the player, should be considered IRRESPECTIVE of his skin color, and nothing else.

Also, Abdelkader is obviously an Arabic name. Is Justin Abdelkader the first player in the NHL of Arabic origin?

True equality is when a person is judged for his/her abilities, not for their race, religion, or ethnic origin. Furthermore, the job of GMs is to provide a team with players who can help them win, not to make statements about social situations. Mike Grier the player, should be considered IRRESPECTIVE of his skin color, and nothing else.

Also, Abdelkader is obviously an Arabic name. Is Justin Abdelkader the first player in the NHL of Arabic origin?

Thanks to Stillwater for providing the name Ramzi Abid.

In addition to what I wrote above, the Red Wings gave a fair chance to Nathan Robinson in 2002, but evidently felt he wasn't good enough. Robinson may be palying hockey in Germany now.